Study in Italy

Praising Italy might be the most complicated thing in the world: where do you even start?. Do you mention a bunch of famous Italians, like da Vinci, Borgia, Versace, and Vivaldi? Or just mention the fields they revolutionised, like Architecture, Music, Engineering, and Fashion? I could just focus on the brilliant landscapes and the UNESCO World Heritage sites, or how awesome Italian people are, with their pastas, wines, and signature hand gesture, but it would be redundant.

Bottom line is simply: Italy is awesome!

Why Study in Italy?

Italy is home to the oldest university in the world, University of Bologna; and, since its inception, the educational system never stopped growing and improving. 

With student discounts, thousands of Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees, and a beautiful and diverse country, there’s no wonder students pick Italy as their international destination.

It might seem there aren’t enough words in the world to express what a beautiful and breath-taking experience studying in Italy can be; but, since someone felt the need to describe this feeling of shortness of breath as an illness (No, really… Google “Florence syndrome”), you can only assume what a marvellous period in your life this will be.

What to study in Italy

Italy can be easily compared to that annoying colleague from high school who excelled at everything he or she did. Considering how many pioneers Italy has produced, there’s no wonder the list of “most sought-after” fields is so vast and comprehensive. Still, the most popular study options in Italy are:

• Study Masters in Economics in Italy;
• Study Masters in Area & Cultural Studies in Italy;
• Study Masters in Architecture in Italy;
• Study Masters in International Relations in Italy;
• Study Masters in Fashion Design in Italy;
• Study Masters in Business Administration in Italy.

Major cities in Italy

The greatest universities in Italy are usually located in the bigger cities. If you’re not sure which are those, or you’re simply searching for details about living costs and geography, you can always check out these cities in Italy:

• Study in Milan 
• Study in Rome 
• Study in Bolzano - Bozen 
• Study in Bologna 
• Study in Florence 

Which universities to attend in Italy

If you’re the type of student who wants to go only to the best universities, disregarding the city you’re going to or the province best suited for you, you can always check out these highly-recommended universities:

• Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, in Milan;
• Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, in Bolzano-Bozen; 
• Ca'Foscari University, in Venice;
• Istituto Europeo Di Design (IED), in Milan;
• POLI.design, in Milan;
• European School of Economics, in Florence.

Practical Information

How to apply to universities in Italy

The application process in Italy can be complicated, but we’re here to help and trace the major lines.

First of all, you should contact the university you’re interested in and check if your qualifications are eligible. This is represented by a prior assessment, after which the university will give you feedback and tell you if you meet all the standards.

After, you will have to submit a pre-application request at your Italian embassy or consulate, and let them manage your application afterwards.

By the end of August, students will find a list of admitted candidates on the embassy’s or consulate’s page.

Some of the documents you will need to deliver with your application are:

• Your ID;
• A passport-type photograph;
• Your academic transcripts;
• Your university application form;
• A detailed study programme or course description, which must contain the number of hours of the courses or training activities that you have completed, according to your academic curriculum;
• Your CV;
• A letter of recommendation;
• A letter of motivation;
• Language proficiency certificate (English or Italian);
• Your portfolio, if you’re applying to Architecture, Urban Planning, or Design programmes;
• Official SAT or ACT scores.

Helpful ways to make sure you qualify for an Italian university

Take Preparation Courses: These kinds of courses enable degree-seeking students to get an extra educational boost just before they start their Master’s degree or other post-graduate degree programmes. Try a pre-M.B.A., pre-Law, or pre-Medicine programme, as well as any other foundation or preparation courses that will allow you to study in the degree programme of your choice;

Improve your English through an English-language prep course: If you’re attending a degree programme in Italy, you will need to prove that your language skills are good enough to participate in the classes and understand the lectures; some schools will require strong English, or Italian, skills. These courses will also prepare you for any of the English-language tests that universities require.

English-language tests

Italian universities have programmes that are taught either in English or in Italian. That’s why, in order to be accepted at one of their programmes, you will need to provide proof of either English or Italian proficiency.

The language tests accepted by Italian universities for English are:

• TOEFL
• TOEIC
• IELTS
• C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency